Threads of Tradition: Pouch Binding in East Asia

Pouch binding (known as fukurotoji in Japan and xianzhuang in China) was commonly used in East Asia for printed books. Developing naturally from the wrapped-back binding used during the Ming period in China (1368–1644 C.E.), pouch binding involves folding sheets in half (“mountain fold”), stacking the folded sheets, piercing four or more holes along the spine, and sewing the covers in place with silk thread. The oldest examples of pouch binding date from the 13th century. Chinese volumes have thin paper covers and usually require a protective outer folding case (hantao). In contrast, Japanese and Korean volumes use thick, embossed paper for covers, making them more durable. This style of thread-binding has been praised for avoiding the use of paste, producing a lightweight fascicle that can be repaired or rebound without loss or damage to the original.